Billionaire Protector - Alexa Hart Page 0,49

the look in his eyes said he’d be happy to pummel me right back. “I don’t know. Christ. I think I told her she should be like, up front with you. About... her life or whatever. I told her that Dad and Pierce are both the equivalent of human hunting dogs when it comes to digging up people’s skeletons.”

“You. Said. What?” He deserved to be punched in the face now. I had tried so incredibly hard to let Anne come to me – no pressure – share as she wanted when she wanted and how she wanted.

“There’s something about that chick, Penn. She’s hiding something. I mean, I don’t caaare. But she is. And you know Dad and Pierce will find out what it is. That’s what they dooo.” Preston stared at me like we were discussing horse feed.

“Whatever is going on in Anne’s life is Anne’s business. She’s a great girl, and I really like her a lot. Do you realize you may have just fucked this up for me completely?” I was yelling, and I did not care.

“Would you rather I just lie and tell you nothing is weird about that girl at all? I’m looking out for you. Fuck. I’m looking out for her. She needs to know that in this family, personal business doesn’t fucking exist! It sucks, but it’s true and you know it, Penn!” Preston was yelling too now.

“No one was demanding any personal information from her. She was fine. She was happy! She fucking left because of you! No one else had bothered her at all!” I was pretty sure I could kick Preston’s ass right now. He was hungover and weak, and we were basically the same size anyway.

“That’s cuz she’s been around for like two seconds, Penn! If you really like her then you have to be honest with yourself! Sketchy doesn’t work in this family! What Dad and Pierce don’t find out, the goddamn paparazzi will!” Preston threw his arms up in exasperation.

“Why are you so sure there’s something to be found out? Why?”

“Because there is. And you know it. Why are you so sure there’s something to be found out, Penn?” Preston’s expression was severe, and severe was the one thing that Preston almost never was.

He was actually worried. He actually sensed something.

And he was right. I did too.

“What if she never comes back because of your ‘conversation’ that was so necessary to have while you were half drunk? What if you really did fuck this up?” The anger was already fading into a much worse pit of despair somewhere deep in my stomach.

I felt ill.

“If she never comes back, there’s a reason – and it isn’t me being honest with her this morning. If she doesn’t come back, she’s either protecting you or protecting herself or protecting her son. Maybe all three. And if there really is anything that she can’t just fucking be honest with you about, then it’s better if she stays away from the Hardick palace to begin with. Better for everybody. Including you, Penn.” Preston’s voice was at a normal volume again, and he looked genuinely sorry. But he also looked like he firmly believed everything he’d just said.

“I have to go,” I said blankly, turning to leave Pres and his speeches and his dumb half-drunk ass.

“Go where?”

“I’m supposed to be at the visitor’s office so Jessie’s not alone all day. And I promised Payden I’d help him load the new foal in the trailer. Vet appointment. And one of the field gates is sticking. Gotta fix it.” I scowled at Preston. “There’s a lotta work going on out there, Pres. Pretty sure you’re due at the main office in what? An hour? Mr. ‘Acting CEO’? You might wanna shower first. You effin reek.” I stomped out of the room, slamming his door behind me.

It was hard to tell what I was even the most upset about as I charged out of Preston’s wing. I was pissed he’d spoken to Anne, obviously. I was enraged that he’d encroached upon her privacy. I was murderous that his intrusion had caused her to flee.

But also... I was frustrated that he was, to some unknown degree, right.

Anne was keeping something from me.

The difference between Preston and myself, was that I was willing to wait it out. Let her come to me. No pressure, no worries.

I nearly ran into Pierce in the main hall.

“Christ! I don’t care how big this goddamn house is. There are too many of